Hunter Receives Major Boost to Local Defense Industry

BY BRONWYN VERWEY

The federal government has invested more than $175 million into a Morisset manufacturing facility to deliver a new fleet of uncrewed navy ships. 

The investment will go towards technology company Ocius to produce 40 new Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels to be used by the Royal Australian Navy. 

The new ships will bump the Navy's total operational Bluebottle fleet to 55. 

Hunter MP Dan Repacholi welcomed the investment. 

"We have a world-class Australian company producing cutting edge defence technology technology right here in Morisset, and this investment ensures that capability continues to grow," he said. 

The Bluebottle system was developed in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy and was initially funded through the Defence Innovation Hub. 

Using renewable energy, including solar and wind, the ships will be able to spend extended periods of time out at sea, whilst conducting sub-surface surveillance. 

Mr Repacholi said it's important to ensure Australia is well positioned with adequate equipment and intelligence amidst escalating global tensions. 

"The Hunter has always played an important role in supporting Australia's defence industry, and projects like this show our region will continue to be central to Australia's sovereign capability," he explained. 

"This investment backs local workers, supports Hunter businesses and strengthens Australia's ability to monitor and protect our maritime approaches."

Picture: Ocius

Lights In Sky Over Coalfields Spark Alien Fears

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hundreds of coalfields residents have reported strange lights in the sky overnight, sparking a host of conspiracy theories that the area was being invaded by aliens.

Hunter MP Dan Repacholi has taken to social media in a bid to allay residents fears, also posting a photo showing 5 balls of light in the air over Cessnock.

He says what people are seeing are military illumination flares being used for night-time training exercises at the Singleton Army Base.

Apparently they're dropped from aircraft with a small parachute attached and burn brightly for a few minutes before slowly drifting down to the ground.

 
 

Lights in the sky over Cessnock Photo: Hunter Mp Dan Repacholi

Hunter MP Hosts Energy Hubs Briefing In Canberra

 BY IAN CROUCH

Federal Hunter MP Dan Repacholi and Member for Indi Helen Haines will host a briefing at Parliament House at lunchtime on Wednesday looking at the need for Energy Hubs in regional areas.

Farmers and regional communities are living in the thick of the shift to renewable energy and farmers, retired coal workers and local government representatives will travel to Canberra to explain why they need Energy Hubs in their communities.

Local Energy Hubs would provide a network of outreach centres to help communities navigate the switch to renewable energy and the impact of transmission projects in their regions while helping households lower energy bills. 

Federal Hunter MP Dan Repacholi

NAB To Close Cessnock Branch In June

 BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter MP, Dan Repacholi has hit out at the National Australia Bank over plans to close it's Cessnock branch in June.

The bank wrote to the MP this week advising of the decision.

It means the NAB will no longer have a branch in the town, forcing customers to travel 30 minutes to the nearest branch in Maitland or Glendale.

Dan Repacholi says the decision will have a huge impact in Cessnock, saying it's a disgrace when the NAB made more than $7 billion dollars in profit last year.

He says local businesses who rely on over-the-counter banking services on daily basis will need to spend days and weeks preparing to swap to another bank so they can continue to operate.

Dan Repacholi has launched a petition on his website urging the community to let the bank know exactly what they feel about the decision.

Hunter MP Dan Repacholi